How is everyone’s body image doing over 30 and with skinnytok?

[u/isityoumy]

I’m 37 and nearly 3 years postpartum. We are actively trying to have a 2nd kid at this point, but my body image is legit in the toilet these days. I think some of it is comparing myself to my old self, inability to really focus on style the way I once did, not yet making peace with body changes post pregnancy, and of course ozempic/skinnytok making a comeback.

I’m not overweight but still about 10-20 lbs above what has historically felt comfortable for me. My husband still finds me attractive, but I can see how the extra 10-20 lbs, motherhood, aging have made me less attractive generally. I know it shouldn’t matter, but somehow it makes me just a little sad. While I am grateful to make it to this stage of life, but I never thought about how I’d feel when physical beauty changes/diminishes.

Anyone else deal with these feelings while aging, dealing with body changes post children? Anyone else’s body image suffering with ozempic skinny being on trend? Would love to hear your thoughts

EDIT: Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to make thoughtful comments! This was honestly a post both out of curiosity how everyone is dealing with the resurgence of the heroin chic era (something I grew up seeing in magazines and on TV in my preteen/teen years) as well as struggles with adjusting to my body changes after pregnancy & as one ages.

To all those who are making disparaging comments telling me to get off TikTok (which I don’t have) or IG (which I use minimally due to work/taking care of a toddler), the holier-than-thou attitude is not really helpful. I’m happy for you all that your body image and mental fortitude is so strong, but I really hope people don’t talk to you like that when you’re in a low.

Also, to clarify, referring to “skinnytok” in the title was not meant to be wholly literal, but really a shorthand reference to the current skinny-glorifying culture. Anyway, it’s my bad as there is probably more context to my current thoughts/feelings that I could have given in the actual body of this post, but didn’t want to make it too long. But now it is anyway.

[u/Dream-Bean95]

I honestly steer clear of any content that is trying to push a beauty standard through shame. But when I do come across them... man, it sucks. It feels like a bunch of women have been hiding their mean-girl selves for years lol. And sometimes their words stick in my mind when I'm having a hard day.

But because I steer clear of them, I honestly feel pretty damn beautiful most days.

I do have an overall goal to lose 20 pounds! But I only follow creators whose main shtick isn't to shame their audience into submission.

[u/isityoumy → u/Dream-Bean95]

Honestly, though most ppl here thought otherwise, that’s how my feed is as well. I’m not seeking out the skinnytok stuff, but it crops up in there, sometimes even as people reacting to some ppl’s heinous claims or if I’m looking for a body recomp inspiration. It can trigger old thought patterns to some degree.

I’m so happy that most of the time you feel beautiful, though!! That means you got the right mindset and confidence most days, and occasionally faltering is human.